We arrived at the coast in the bay of Kotor and found our super cute Airbnb, which had awesome views of sea, beach, and mountains.  Over the next several days, we drove much of the Montenegro coast and the Bay of Kotor, went to Lake Skadar, strolled through Budva, beached at a sweet secluded spot, hiked in Lovcen National Park, and got tattoo work done in Tivat.  We ate more cheese, meat, giant pastries, and also enjoyed cider-beer and fresh fish and squid.  Many thanks to Matt for being our travel planner and tour guide!  We drive up the Croatian coast on our way back to Split, and it was so gorgeous with bright turquoise water and beach town after beach town with beautiful, calm, clean, chill, private beach spots all over.  I wish Italy did beaches like Croatia does, and now I definitely want to go back to Croatia!  I think I loved the mountains of Montenegro on this trip more than the coast, but one thing I love about the Mediterranean is the high value put on relaxing and enjoying life, just sitting, swimming, strolling, eating, being with others, and letting go.  I wish we valued this way of living more in the US.

And farewell this time to bearded vacation-Matt!!!  Until we meet again in December!